Industrial Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Industrial Technology equips students with foundational engineering principles and practical technical expertise to support industrial operations, efficiency, and innovation. This program emphasizes the integration of systems thinking, data-driven decision-making, and process optimization within manufacturing and production environments.
- Optimization Theory: Explores mathematical and analytical methods to improve system performance, reduce waste, and enhance productivity across industrial workflows.
- Human Factors: Focuses on designing work environments and processes that align with human capabilities and limitations to improve safety, comfort, and efficiency.
- Organizational Behavior: Investigates individual and group dynamics within industrial settings to support effective team coordination and leadership strategies.
- Industrial Processes: Covers the principles and techniques involved in transforming raw materials into finished goods through structured production systems.
- Industrial Planning Procedures: Teaches systematic approaches to designing, implementing, and managing industrial operations and resource allocation.
- Computer Applications: Provides hands-on experience with software tools used in simulation, data analysis, automation, and system modeling within industrial contexts.
- Report and Presentation Preparation: Develops skills in communicating technical findings clearly and effectively to stakeholders through written documentation and professional presentations.
Industrial Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Industrial Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Industrial Technology degrees, including Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 73,410 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians 17-3026 | $64,790 | $46,370 - $97,670 | 73,410 | $31.15 |
Industrial Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $50,390 in South Dakota to $94,110 in Alaska—a 87% difference. The highest-paying states include Alaska, Washington, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 73,410 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Industrial Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Industrial Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Industrial Technology is found at Olympic College (OC) (467 graduates), Eastern Illinois University (EIU) (342 graduates), Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (273 graduates), Lone Star College System (LSC) (227 graduates), and University of Central Missouri (UCM) (179 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,765 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic College (OC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
467 | Bremerton, Washington | Public | olympic.edu |
| Eastern Illinois University (EIU) |
Master's
|
342 | Charleston, Illinois | Public | eiu.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
273 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Lone Star College System (LSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
227 | The Woodlands, Texas | Public | lonestar.edu |
| University of Central Missouri (UCM) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
179 | Warrensburg, Missouri | Public | ucmo.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
|
166 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| Coastal Alabama Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
140 | Bay Minette, Alabama | Public | coastalalabama.edu |
| Black River Technical College (BRTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
92 | Pocahontas, Arkansas | Public | blackrivertech.edu |
| Pittsburg State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
86 | Pittsburg, Kansas | Public | pittstate.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
70 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| Vincennes University (VU) |
Bachelor's
|
68 | Vincennes, Indiana | Public | vinu.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
62 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
60 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
56 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Lamar University (LU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
53 | Beaumont, Texas | Public | lamar.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| Southern Illinois University |
Bachelor's
|
52 | Carbondale, Illinois | Public | siu.edu |
| Northeast State Community College |
Associate's
|
52 | Blountville, Tennessee | Public | northeaststate.edu |
| Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
50 | Bossier City, Louisiana | Public | bpcc.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
|
47 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| Pueblo Community College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
41 | Pueblo, Colorado | Public | pueblocc.edu |
| Tarleton State University (TSU) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Stephenville, Texas | Public | tarleton.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
36 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| Heartland Community College (HCC ) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
36 | Normal, Illinois | Public | heartland.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
33 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| Arizona Western College (AWC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
30 | Yuma, Arizona | Public | azwestern.edu |
| Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
30 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | waketech.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) |
Associate's
|
25 | Martinsville, Virginia | Public | patrickhenry.edu |
| San Juan College (SJC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24 | Farmington, New Mexico | Public | sanjuancollege.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Tyler, Texas | Public | uttyler.edu |
| The University of Texas Permian Basin |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Odessa, Texas | Public | utpb.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Los Angeles, California | Public | calstatela.edu |
| Washington County Career Center (WCCC) |
Residency
|
22 | Marietta, Ohio | Public | thecareercenter.net |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| Stark State College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | North Canton, Ohio | Public | starkstate.edu |
| Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
20 | Hammond, Louisiana | Public | southeastern.edu |
| Farmingdale State College |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Farmingdale, New York | Public | farmingdale.edu |
| Bismarck State College (BSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
19 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Public | bismarckstate.edu |
| Danville Community College (DCC) |
Associate's
|
19 | Danville, Virginia | Public | danville.edu |
| Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) |
Associate's
|
19 | Alberta, Virginia | Public | southside.edu |
| Pima Community College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
18 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | pima.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Kingsville, Texas | Public | tamuk.edu |
| Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech) |
Associate's
Residency
|
17 | Camden, Arkansas | Public | sautech.edu |
| Northwest Technical Institute (NWTI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Springdale, Arkansas | Public | nwti.edu |
| Virginia State University (VSU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Petersburg, Virginia | Public | vsu.edu |
| Texas State Technical College (TSTC) |
Associate's
|
16 | Waco, Texas | Public | tstc.edu |
| College of Lake County (CLC) |
Other Award
|
15 | Grayslake, Illinois | Public | clcillinois.edu |
| Jackson State University (JSU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Jackson, Mississippi | Public | jsums.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Commerce, Texas | Public | tamuc.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAPB) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
14 | Pine Bluff, Arkansas | Public | uapb.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| Western Nevada College (WNC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Carson City, Nevada | Public | wnc.edu |
| University of Dayton (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Dayton, Ohio | Private | udayton.edu |
| Edison State Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Piqua, Ohio | Public | edisonohio.edu |
| Owens Community College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
14 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Public | owens.edu |
| Wytheville Community College (WCC) |
Associate's
|
14 | Wytheville, Virginia | Public | wcc.vccs.edu |
| Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | New Britain, Connecticut | Public | ccsu.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Associate's
|
13 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| North Central Texas College (NCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13 | Gainesville, Texas | Public | nctc.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
12 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Holmes Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
12 | Goodman, Mississippi | Public | holmescc.edu |
| Pellissippi State Community College (PSTCC) |
Other Award
|
12 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | pstcc.edu |
| Southeast Arkansas College (SEARK) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
11 | Pine Bluff, Arkansas | Public | seark.edu |
| Neosho County Community College (NCCC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Chanute, Kansas | Public | neosho.edu |
| Rowan College of South Jersey |
Associate's
|
11 | Vineland, New Jersey | Public | rcsj.edu |
| Clark State College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Springfield, Ohio | Public | clarkstate.edu |
| South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | solacc.edu |
| Arkansas Tech University (ATU) |
Associate's
|
10 | Russellville, Arkansas | Public | atu.edu |
| South Arkansas College (SouthArk) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | El Dorado, Arkansas | Public | southark.edu |
| Bemidji State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Bemidji, Minnesota | Public | bemidjistate.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Joplin, Missouri | Public | mssu.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| Brightpoint Community College |
Associate's
|
10 | Chester, Virginia | Public | brightpoint.edu |
| Virginia Western Community College (VWCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Roanoke, Virginia | Public | virginiawestern.edu |
| Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
Master's
|
9 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | mtsu.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| Upper Iowa University (UIU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Fayette, Iowa | Private | uiu.edu |
| South Hills School of Business & Technology (SHSBT) |
Associate's
|
8 | State College, Pennsylvania | Private | southhills.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Logan, West Virginia | Public | southernwv.edu |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Natchitoches, Louisiana | Public | nsula.edu |
| Great Basin College (GBC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Elko, Nevada | Public | gbcnv.edu |
| Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Ontario, Oregon | Public | tvcc.cc |
| Sul Ross State University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Alpine, Texas | Public | sulross.edu |
| Oakton College |
Other Award
|
6 | Des Plaines, Illinois | Public | oakton.edu |
| University of Southern Maine (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Portland, Maine | Public | usm.maine.edu |
| Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Itta Bena, Mississippi | Public | mvsu.edu |
| University of Rio Grande |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Rio Grande, Ohio | Private | rio.edu |
| Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Abingdon, Virginia | Public | vhcc.edu |
| Aims Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Greeley, Colorado | Public | aims.edu |
| Front Range Community College (FRCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Westminster, Colorado | Public | frontrange.edu |
| Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Melbourne, Florida | Public | easternflorida.edu |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
5 | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Public | pfw.edu |
| William Penn University (WPU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Oskaloosa, Iowa | Private | wmpenn.edu |
| Muskegon Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Muskegon, Michigan | Public | muskegoncc.edu |
| Siena Heights University (SHU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Adrian, Michigan | Private | sienaheights.edu |
| Erie Community College (SUNY Erie) |
Associate's
|
5 | Buffalo, New York | Public | ecc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Industrial Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Industrial Technology degree?
Salaries for Industrial Technology graduates vary by role and location. Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $64,790 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Alaska average $94,110 compared to $50,390 in South Dakota. Approximately 73,410 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Industrial Technology programs?
Currently 153 accredited institutions offer Industrial Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Olympic College (OC) (467 graduates), Eastern Illinois University (EIU) (342 graduates), and Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (273 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Industrial Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 4,106 in 2010 to a peak of 4,673 in 2020, before declining slightly to 3,881 in 2023-24. This represents a 5% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Industrial Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians. Related occupations employ approximately 73,410 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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